Lamp switch mechanism



June 24, 1941. J. F. vooGT LAMP SWITCH MECHANISM Filed March 14, 1938y 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 24, 1941.

LAMP SW Filed March 14 1958 J. F. VOOGT ITCH MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ign?.

Patented June 24, 194i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE d (Claims.

This invention relates generally to electrical switches, particularly to switches for use in electric fixtures of house lighting circuits. The invention is particularly designed for use in oor lamps, but it is also adaptable for use in other types of electric fixtures.

The switches in common use in lamps and other electric fixtures at the present time usually have a small operating handle which is dimcult to locate in ordinary illumination, and nearly impossible to locate in the dark. A

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a switch which is operable by the rota tion of a relatively large operating member in the form of a long sleeve which may form part of the lamp standard. The sleeve may extend the entire length of the lamp standard if desirable or it may extend only a portion of thelength thereof.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a switch operable by a rotatable sleeve and which is operable irrespective of which direction the sleeve is turned. In this connection it is an object of this invention to provide a switch which has its electrical contact member progressively rotated in one direction irrespective of the direction of rotation of the operating sleeve member.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a switch which is particularly designed for use with a lamp having two filaments and which is effective to complete a circuit through each of the filaments separately and both of them simultaneously. In this connection it is an object to provide a switch which has a quick make and break of the contact elements.

These and other objects will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and thev following description of the invention. Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only- Fig'. 1 is an elevation of a floor lamp embodying one form of the switch of this invention.

Fig.4 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation through, the upper switch of the lamp of Fig. 1 and is taken on the plane of line 2 2 of Fig. 1 except that half of the switch mechanism inwardly of its encasement means is shown in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view on line 3 3 of Fig. 2 and illustrates the ratchet mechanism for communicating rotative movement to the contact element.

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view on line 4--4 of Fig. 2 showing the upper set of contact surfaces on the switch contactor element.

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view on line 5-5 of Fig. 2 and showing the lower set of contact surfaces on the switch contactor element.

Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram applicable to the switch of Figures 2 to 5.

`Flgures 7 to 10 into such a construction.

More particularly describing the invention, reference numeral I5 generally indicates a floor lamp which comprises a base I 6, a standard il', a bowl I8 adapted to house a lamp (not shown). Below the bowl is a socket xture I9' and between the socket and the standard is a member 20 on which aremounted three small lamps generally indicated by reference numeral 2|.

'Ihe standard of the oor lamp is shown as having an upper sleeve 23 and a lower sleeve 24. The upper sleeve extends into a lamp switch which is housed in the portion 25 of the standard, while the lower sleeve 24 extends into another switch which is housed in the portion 26 of the standard. The sleeves 23 and 24 are mounted in any suitable manner for rotation. This may be effected by supporting the sleeves by means of a boss 21 mounted on the central conduit 28 of the lamp standard and by such additional support as may be necessary.

In the particular lamp shown, two switches are contemplated, the upper switch for operating the lamp contained in the bowl I8 and the lower switch for operating the three lamps 2| and for this reason the standard is shown as having two sleeves 23 and 24. In the event it is desirable to only embody one switch in a lamp,

'there would be no necessity for dividing the standard so as to have two rotatable sleeves, but in such a case one rotatable sleeve, which might extend practically the entire length of the standard, would be particularly desirable. By changing the terminal and contact arrangement of the switch subsequently to` be described, one switch might be used for operating the lamp in bowl IB and the three small lamps 2l.

Referring to Figures 2 to 6 inclusive for the details in the construction of the upper switch housed in the portion 2l of the standard, this switch comprises an upper member or fitting 30 which is internally threaded at 3| and 32. This member is shown threaded upon the inner conduit forming part of the lamp standard and designated as 2l'. A nipple 34 is provided with internal threads at 35 for connection to the central conduit 28 of the lamp standard. Nipple 34 is provided with an extension 38 of reduced .ing element 42.

, diameter which is externally threaded at 31 and inwardly extending pin 40.

Rotatably mounted on the reduced extension 36 of the nipple 34 is a sleeve 52 of non-conductive material which will be termed a contact carrying element. At its upper end the contact carrying element carries an upper and a lower set of contact surfaces which will subsequently be described. Rotatably mounted on the contact carrying element are an upper gear 83 and a lower gear 44 which are adapted to mesh on opposite sides of the pinions 38. The lower gear `44 is provided with a depending hub portion 45 upon which is mounted the upper sleeve 23 of the lamp standard by means of pins 46. Any other suitable attaching means might be used, however. With this construction the sleeve 23' is effective when rotated to rotate the gears 83 and 44 in opposite directions through the medium of thev pinions 39.

For the purpose of rotating the contact carrying element 42 in one direction only, the gears and the contact carrying element are provided with a ratchet mechanism. Referring to Fig. 3 for the details of this ratchet mechanism, each of the gears is provided with a spring finger or pawl 48 which is adapted to engage recesses 49 arranged in a plane about the circumference of the contact carrying element. Inasmuch as the switch contact mechanism, later to be described,

is designed to operate upon one-eighth of a turn or through a rotation of 45 degrees,. eight recesses 49 are provided around the contact element.

From this it can be seen that rotation of the gear 44 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 3 will serve to rotate the contact carrying element 42 in the same direction. 'I'he ratchet construction of the gear 43 isthe same as'that of the gear 44 and the contact carrying element 42 is also provided with recesses 49 in the region of the upper gear 43. Thus, when gear 44 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 3 it is effective to rotate the contact carrying element, while gear 43 is ineffective to drive contact carrying element 42 since it is rotating in the 'opposite direction. However, when gear 44 is rotated in the'direction opposite to the arrow by rotation of sleeve 23 in that direction, the spring finger 48 of gear 44 becomes ineffective to impart motion to the contact carrying element 42 and the spring nger 48 of the upper gear 43 which now rotates in the direction of the arrow, then becomes effective to rotate the contact carrying element 42 in the desired direction.

From this it may be seen that the sleeve 23 may be rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise and in either case progressive rotative movement is imparted to the contact carrying element 42 in only the desired direction.

A split ring 5I is provided immediately below lower gear 44 for retaining it upon the contact carrying element l42. Immediately above the upper gear 43 there is provided a washer 52 of electrical insulation material. Another washer 53 of insulation material is provided between fitting 30 and the upper end of the contact carry- 'I'he member- 53 is apertured at 53' to permit passage of suitable wiring.

For the purpose-of effecting electrical contact, the upper portion of the contact carrying element is serrated to form a plurality of saw tooth contacts generally indicated by reference numeral 55, as shown in Fig. 4. The peripheral .surfaces of these teeth are designed to be engaged by spring terminals 56 and 51 whichare mounted in an annular body 58. The body 58 is preferably formed of insulation material and is mounted in the fitting 30 inwardly of the legs 38. An electrical conductor 58 is provided which has extended portions on the peripheral faces of all of the teeth except the teeth and 6l. Thus, when the terminals 56 and 51 are each engaging electrically conductive portions of the upper set of contact surfaces, current passes between terminals 56 and 51 through the medium of the conductor 59.

. Immediately below the upper set of contact surfaces on the contact carrying element is a lower set 62 which is similar to -the construction in the upper set except that the electrically conductive portions are differently arranged. In this case all but the surfaces 63, 64, 65 and 66 are electrically conductive and form extensions of a conductor 59'. In the member 58 are mounted terminals 81 and 68, immediately below terminals 56 and 51, which are provided for the purpose of engaging the lower set of contact surfaces 62.

Referring to Fig. 6 it may be seen that terminals 51 and 68 are adapted to be connected to a source of electrical energy as a generator G. Inasmuch as the switch is designed particularly for use in combination with a lamp having two filaments generally indicated in the diagram at 10 and 1l, the terminals 56 and 51 are respectively connected to the filaments 10 and 1| of the lamp. The filaments in the lamp of course are each connected to a source of electric energy as indicated. In this connection it should be noted that the fitting 38 is provided with openings 30' to permit passage of wiring from the interior of the fitting to .the exterior of the' fitting and to the terminals in the member 58. Any ordinary means may be employed to connect wires to the terminals of the switch,

as by soldering, for example.

With the particular arrangement of the contact surfaces as shown in Figures 4 and 5, when the sets of contact surfaces are in the position shown, the circuit is open in the case of the 4upper set shown in Fig. 4 and closed Vin the case of the lower set shown in Fig. 5. Beginning with this position as the first position, the following table givesV the successive positions of each set of contact surfaces and indicates whether the circuit is open or closed.

The portion of the lamp standard indicated by reference numeral 26 is adapted to house a switch similar to the switch shown in Figures 2 to 6 for controlling the lamps 2|. In this particular installation the switch would be inverted so that the operating sleeve 24 might extend into the top of the switch instead of into the bottom of the switch as is the case withv the sleeve 23 extending into the upper switch.

Referring to Figures 7 to 12 inclusive, there is shown another form of switch which is adaptable for use in the same manner as the switch shown in Figures 2 to 5 inclusive. This switch comprises a body member or supporting member which is provided with' an internally threaded female connection at each end indicated by reference numerals 3l and 82 and adapted to accommodate a wiring conduit comprising the portions 83 and t3'. Between the ends of the member 80 is a central portion generally indicated by reference numeral 8i which comprises two spaced parallelly disposed portions 85 and 86.

.Near the center each of these portions is provided with an outwardly extending boss di which has a transverse bore B. The bores t8 are aligned. The bosses tl are also provided with vertical apertures 8|' to accommodate wires @il which must extend through the switch or be connected to the terminals thereof. in view of the wiring diagram of Fig. ll, the wiring has only been fragmentarily indicated in other iigures. Rotatably mounted on the lower `end of the member B@ is a crown gear This gear is provided with an annular shoulder @i for the reception of a suitable housing 82. The gear 90 is provided with a downwardly extending hub portion 93 adapted to accommodate a sleeve 9d which may be rotated for actuating the switch.

Rotatably mounted, one in each end of the hubs 81, are bearing members 96 and d1. Rotatably mounted on each of the bearing members 95 and 91 respectively are the pinions 98 and 99 adapted to engage the teeth on the crown gear 90. The pinions, as shown in Fig. 7, are

' each provided with a series of recesses |00 which are adapted to be engaged by spring fingers or pawls |0| mounted in the respective bearing members.

When the crown gear 90 is rotated it serves to rotate the pinions 90 and 99 in opposite directions. One of the pinions is 'effective to rotate the bearing member uponl which it is mounted through the medium of the spring iinger |0| and one of recesses |00. The pawls of the bearing members are disposed in the same direction so that no matter which way the crown gear is turned shaft |02 and' the bearing members in which it is mounted are rotated as a unit in one direction only.

Mounted Vbetween the spaced portions 1.85 and 86 is a member |05 formed of insulation material and centrally apertured at |06. This member is provided with radially disposed apertures |01, |08 and |09 which are enlarged at their inner ends to accommodate terminals ||0, I Ii and H2. These terminals extend inwardly into a central circular recess H3.

Rotatably mounted on the shaft |02 is a con-= tact element I I4 which is positioned within recess H3. The element H4 has a serrated periphery comprising four teeth, three of which are provided with electrically conductive surfaces formed by the extended portions of an electrically oonductive member H5. The teeth of the contact element HI are engageable by the contact members H0, III and ||2. The contact element is rotated by a spring H6 connecting it and the bearing member 96.

From this it can be seen that rotation of sleeve 04, and consequently crown gear 90, is effective to rotate the contact element III progressively in one direction to effect making and breaking of clude for example the lights 2t.

` member; a shaft rigidly supported at each end inl `surfaces on the switches desscribed.

the switch, The ratchet construction between the gears 98 and 99 and the bearing members 8S and 91 is eiective to impart rotation to the shaft |02 and consequently to the contact element H4 only in the desired direction through the medium of bearing member QS and spring! it.

In Fig. 11 there is shown diagrammatically a means of including the switch in an electrical circuit including a two lament lamp, the filaments being designated by reference numeral 16a and lla. Each of the illaments is connected to a source of electricity, as a generator Contact Eli of the switch is connected to the opposite side of the source of the electricity. The laments 10a and Ha are connected respectively to the contacts it@ and M2. The contact element H6 is effective to open the circuit through both filaments and to close the circuit through each of them separately and simultaneously.

Beginning with the position shown in Fig. 9, the successive positions of the switch are eective to open or close the two circuits through the laments as follows:

Closed Closed Open Closed O en Open C osed Open In Fig. 12 there is shown an adaptation of the switch of Figures 'Z and 9 as embodied in an electric light fixture generally indicated by reference numeral |26. lThe switch is reversed with respect to the position in which it is shown in Figures 7 to 9. Rotation of the sleeve 9i or the housing portion 92 is e'ective to 'operate the switch.

1t is contemplated to be within the scope of this invention to change the position of the contact Thus, for example, the switch housed at 26 in Fig. 1 might have a rotative contact member with alternately placed conductive and non-conductive areas so L l that it will operate as an ordinary switch effective to close and break a single circuit which might in- The fact that in the switches particularly described the rotatable contact element has been designed for use in connection with a two filament lamp should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention to the particular arrangement of the electrically conductive areas of the contact elements.

I claim as my invention: y

1. In a switch: a body member; switch terminals mounted in said body member; a pair of bearing members rotatably mounted in said body said bearing members; a contact element rotatably mounted on said shaft for connecting and disconnecting said terminals; a pinion rotatably mounted on'each of said bearing members; a ratchet mechanism between each of said pinions and said bearing members for driving said bear- 'ing members and said shaft as a. unit in one direction only; a gear rotatably mounted on said body member and engageable with said pinions for rotating said pinions in opposite directions; and an operating member attached to said gear.

2. In a. switch: a body member; switch terminals mounted in said body member; a pair of bearing members rotatably mounted in said body member; a shaft rigidly supported at each end in said bearing members; a contact element rotatably mounted on said shaft for connecting and disconnecting said terminals; a pinion rotatably mounted on each of said bearing members; a pawl on each bearing member; said pinions each being provided with recesses engageable by the respective pawls of said bearing members; said pawls being disposed in the same direction whereby said bearing members and said shaft are rotated by said pinions only in one direction; a gear rotatably mounted on said body member and engageable with said pinions for rotating said pinions in opposite directions; and an operating member attached to said gear.

3. In a switch, spaced switch terminals, a contact carrying element rotatable to connect and disconnect said terminals; an operating member. a drive gear mounted on said operating member and rotatable therewith; a pair of rotatably mounted driven gears engageable with said drive gear on opposite sides thereof whereby rotation of said drive gear rotates said driven gears in opposite directions; a, resilient connecting element operatively connected to said contact carrying element; and ratchet means interposed between each of said driven gears and said resilient connecting element for rotation thereof whereby said contact carrying element is positively rotated in one direction only regardless oi the direction of rotation of the drive and driven gears when said operating member is rotated a sumcient distance to increase the tension of saidrresilient connecting element to the point where it overcomes the resistance to rotation of the contact carrying element. I

4. In a switch: a body member; spaced switch terminals mounted in said body member; a shaft rotatably mounted in said body member; a contact carrying element rotatably mounted on said shaft for connecting and disconnecting said terminals; an operating member; a drive gear mounted on said operating member and rotatable therewith; a pair of driven gears rotatably mounted in said body member and engageable with said drive gear on opposite sides thereof; ratchet means interposed between each of said driven gears and said shaft for rotating said shaft in one direction only regardless of the direction of rotation of the drive and driven gears; and a flexible driving connection between said shaft and said contact carrying element.

JOHN F. VOOGT. 

